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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Following letter was sent to Ontario's Auditors Office regarding CAS spending of tax-payers money.

We recently obtained the following response from their office.Your suggestion is something that will be considered during the planning of the next audit on the Child Welfare program and the Children’s Aid Societies, along with the comments you have previously provided us

I would like to recommend that the next time your office does look into child welfare matters, that you contact and interview child-welfare reform advocacy groups such as Canada Court Watch ( http://www.canadacourtwatch.com ), Dufferin VOCA (http://www.fixcas.com), Chris Carter (On Facebook), Andrew Skinner of ( http://rally4accountability.webs.com/contactus.htm ), and myself at johndunn@afterfostercare.ca ( http://www.fostercarenews.blogspot.com )

The reason I make this recommendation is because I read that your office has consulted other community based groups in relation to ODSP in your last 2009 annual report. (3.09) page 220 which says

"Chapter 3 • VFM Section 3.09

We also held discussions and obtained information from a var- iety of organizations that are involved with, or have an interest in, the administration of the ODSP pro- gram, including two ODSP program client-advocate groups"

It is my deepest wish that your office would consider interviewing such groups which have much evidence over the years of wasted spending of tax-payers money by Children's Aid Societies and the lack of any way for Ontarians to do anything about it because nobody oversees CAS financial's except those who are hand-picked by Societies in many cases to become "members" who oversee the board. Many of whom never even ask to see detailed financials, nor attend board meetings.

This lack of oversight is perpetuated by the Societies failing to advertize to the public about the fact that they offer memberships to those in their local communities, or what can be done with memberships, such as access to Societies by-laws, privileges under the corporations act to call meetings of the board, etc... all the same things that happen within profit corporations by share-holders.

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General Information

Donating to a CAS Foundation?Donating to a Children's Aid Society Foundation? Consider supporting former foster children who advocate for improvements in child welfare by e-mailing johndunn@afterfostercare.ca

Misappropriated Ministry FundsLearn more about over $2.5 Million per year in child welfare funds going toward paid lobbyists, the OACAS [link]

A Visit to the MinistryChris Carter and Families Visit Ministry of Children and Youth Services [link]

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CAS Board Meetings

Call your CAS to find out when their regular Board of Directors meetings are held and how you can attend to watch and participate. If you experience any resistance to your attendance call the Council at 613-220-1039 for support.

For example: Ottawa CASThe Ottawa CAS Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Head Office of the CAS at 1602 Telesat Court, Ottawa, ON, at 5:30pm in the Gloucester Room of the Society. (a short walk over the glass tunnel from Blair Transitway Station (away from the Mall not toward it)

Simply go into the main office of the CAS if doors are unlocked or buzz security if they are locked, then just sign in at the front desk telling Security you are there to attend the Board meeting.

When you sign in, the sheet asks who invited you, or who your contact person is, just put Barbara MacKinnon as she is the Executive Director and as head of the corporation offers an open invitation to the public to attend in accordance with their internal By-Laws. You can learn more by calling the Ottawa CAS at 613-747-7800 and ask for the Executive Office.